What time of day to run?: I have done all but... - Couch to 5K

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What time of day to run?

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate
19 Replies

I have done all but one of my runs first thing in the morning with just a drink of water before I go and it’s worked great. This has been fine as I’ve been furloughed and off for summer now as term time but worried about incorporating my running when I’m back in the real world.

I won’t be able to do mornings as my young son is at home so need to get him to school then start work.

I could possibly do a lunchtime run when working from home otherwise it’s evenings. My only non-morning run was after a disastrous am attempt with new (and constantly falling down) running tights which I abandoned after 5 mins and tried again when I got back home late afternoon. It was the hardest run of the whole program for me by far and a struggle from start to finish. I hadn’t really had a chance to eat so that may have been a factor?

Any tips for later runs? Does it make any difference to fat burning/fitness training what time of day and whether on an empty stomach?

Thanks!

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Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23
Graduate
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19 Replies
wobbles_when_runs profile image
wobbles_when_runsGraduate

I prefer evening runs, I am not a morning person. I tend to do about 6pm after a snack around 4pm. I eat dinner/tea (depending if you’re from the north or south 😁) around 7:30/8pm then.

Weight loss to date is 10lb. Gives you plenty of chance to drink during the day also. I run around a football fields at the moment and change to road running when it’s dark.

Everyone finds their own way and what works for them. I think evening runs take more planning with regards to food maybe, I just can’t do mornings 🤣😂

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate in reply towobbles_when_runs

Thanks, I’m sure I’ll find a way. Well done on the weight loss. I’m 3.5stone down (mostly before the running) but still need to lose a couple of stone. I’ve been lucky to have 5 months off so have been going about 9. I’ll give it another trial when I’ve not been rushing around and have had a snack 👍🏻😀

wobbles_when_runs profile image
wobbles_when_runsGraduate in reply toGaily23

Well done on your weight loss to date, that’s awesome! I have another 5.5 stone to go, it’s an 18 month plan 🙄

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate in reply towobbles_when_runs

I started last October so it does take a while and will be a similar amount to you in the end. Well done for starting up with the running already, I was too scared to think about until I’d lost a bit!

I’m in the middle by the way so dinner or tea works! 😂

wobbles_when_runs profile image
wobbles_when_runsGraduate in reply toGaily23

Haha, good to know.

I had to start doing something to kick start me, I don’t have any will power 😂

wobbles_when_runs profile image
wobbles_when_runsGraduate in reply toGaily23

Just seen we are at the same stage, I’ll be heading out for W9 R2 this evening, well done on your progress!

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate in reply towobbles_when_runs

Excellent! I’m hoping to get my last run in on Saturday before we have a few days away so we might both be polishing our newly earned graduate badges together!

wobbles_when_runs profile image
wobbles_when_runsGraduate in reply toGaily23

Oh good luck! I usually have at least two days between runs so we shall see but I’ll be looking for your post 👍🏻

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

What time do you get up in the morning?

Can you not get up an hour earlier?

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

I could but my son’s 10 so can’t leave him home alone as his dad will be back at work then too hopefully 🤞🏻

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply toGaily23

At 10 isn’t he old enough to be left for half an hour or so? I’m sure I left mine for that amount of time then. Mine’s 12 now and I leave him up to 2-3 hours 🤣

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate in reply toTasha99

He probably could (not legally though 😂). I’m sure he’d be fine it’s just if something happened whilst I’m out I guess...

He’d be on the phone to child line in a flash.

I might have a chat with him. He tends to get up and entertain himself whilst I’m asleep so there’s not much difference I guess

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply toGaily23

There’s no law for a certain age. I started training my son up in year 3 or 4 🤣 I think but literally for 5 minutes when I went to the shop. Then just increased it gradually. He knows if there’s an emergency to go to a neighbour as they’re all nice. He’s recently got a phone so if I’m going to be ages, I can phone him. I woke him up this morning before I went on a run and told him I was going and that he had to get up and have breakfast and when I came home an hour later he’d fallen back to sleep and was still in bed 🤔

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate in reply toTasha99

Aah, ok. I thought it was 14 but maybe that’s babysitting. I have left him while I’ve popped to the shop so he’d probably be fine and I have my phone with me. I might give that a try as I think I’d rather get it done in the morning 👍🏻

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply toGaily23

Definitely. I have work fear 😶🤣

I leave a note by his door saying I’ve gone for a run if I go before he’s up.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Make sure you have left a good couple of hours after your lunch before running and I personally don’t drink for a couple of hours too as I would need a wee all run otherwise 🤣

The amount of calories you burn won’t change I doubt

I like morning running too but I’m a teacher and like you have a child to motivate in the mornings so I’ll be back to running after school. I preferably run just before tea. Sometimes I run with a club but that’s not till 6:30 and waiting that late is a struggle. I have to snack before as I’m starving.

Gaily23 profile image
Gaily23Graduate in reply toTasha99

Thanks, I might try late afternoon/early evening then and see how I get on, we tend to eat fairly late so should be able to squeeze it in. Not sure I could motivate myself late after dinner

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply toGaily23

No way I could run after my tea 🐽🤣

annettebrown profile image
annettebrown

I prefer mornings, especially doing a longer run at weekends. (I usually have a banana before I leave the house) otherwise it’s evening when the legs can be feeling tired.

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